Abstract: The main objective of this invention is to improve the efficiency and service life of a rubber tree rain guard seal. The performance of existing rubber tree rain guard seals depends on a fixed mechanical and or chemical attachment of the seal to the tree. These methods of attachment prevent the seal from expanding with the circumferential growth of the tree resulting in premature seal failure and damage to the tree within a year of operation. In this invention the seal is comprised of five components that are not fixed to the tree, allowing the seal to expand along with tree growth. An adjustable outer seal connector regulates the pressure required to establish consistent sealing contact against the tree, thus providing extended service life of the seal assembly. The seal assembly comes apart for easy maintenance.

Abstract: A bug trap apparatus suited for trapping and killing lanternflies is presented. More specifically, the present invention traps and kills lanternflies, specifically emplacing the present invention in nesting areas, feeding areas, or any other areas where lanternflies congregate. The bug trap apparatus comprises an enclosure, a mounting frame, and at least one capturing element. The at least one capturing element each comprises a trap body, a trap entrance, and a trap reservoir. The at least one capturing element is distributed about the mounting frame. The mounting frame is positioned within the enclosure. The trap entrance and the trap base are positioned terminally opposite to each other along the trap body. The trap reservoir is positioned within the trap body. The trap entrance traverses within the trap reservoir.

Abstract: A preventive device involves an elastic band capable of being secured about the base of a mattress or box spring. The elastic band is impregnated or coated with a composition that repels bed bugs. The elastic band also protects bedding from the infestation of bedbugs, which is much easier than eradication.

Abstract: A tick trap belt for wear by an outdoorsman for stopping upward movement of ticks includes a belt having opposed ends, each end having a fastener such that the opposed ends of the belt are selectively secured about a user's body. The belt includes upper and lower edges and has opposed inner and outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower edges, respectively. The tick trap belt includes an awning or cover coupled to the upper edge of the belt and extends along the upper edge between the fasteners at the opposed ends thereof, respectively. The awning extends outwardly and downwardly away from the upper edge, the awning having a bottom surface that, in cooperation with the outer surface of the belt, defines a gap area. An adhesive member is positioned in the gap area for stopping movement of ticks who step thereon.

Abstract: A device (1) for trapping animal pests such as caterpillars, having a collar (2) which is designed to surround the trunk of a tree (3), the collar (2) including a substantially annular walkway (4) that extends substantially in a first plane (P1) that is intended to be oriented horizontally. Joining means (31) including an arrangement (32) of flexible bristles (33) having a suitable density prevent the animal pests from passing between the collar (2) and the trunk of the tree (3).

Abstract: A tree and plant watering system relating to improved transfer of water to trees and plants (both new and existing) is provided. The system comprises soil penetrators, soil anchors, and area extenders to enhance water capacity and to provide ease of water transfer to root systems. Additionally, the system provides plant growth ladders to assist upward plant growth and root apertures to assist root growth.

Abstract: A device attaches to the trunks of plants and trees to prevent snails from reaching the upper portion of the plant or tree which has leaves and fruit subject to attack from the snails. Embodiments of the device have an inner funnel-shaped sleeve which biases against the tree trunk to provide a sufficiently tight closure to prevent snails from climbing between the trunk and the device. Embodiments of the device have a downward facing surface having a plurality of closely-spaced downwardly facing spike members. These spike members are sufficiently closely spaced so as to substantially or completely prevent snails, including small-sized young snails, from moving across the downwardly facing surface to crawl around the outside of the device to gain access to the upper portion of the tree.

Abstract: An odorant substance for use in as an attractant for snout beetles and a method for controlling snout beetles are provided. The odorant substance includes at least one of: Cyclopropane carboxylic acid; 5-Methyl-2-hexanone; 2,5-Dimethyl-4-methoxy-3(2H)-furanone (“Mesifurane or berry furanone”); Anisole; and 3-Methoxy acetophenone. The method of controlling snout beetles includes applying the odorant substance to attract the snout beetles, e.g. by applying the substance to mechanical traps, combining the substances with insecticides, or the like.

Abstract: A rodent trap is provided having an entrapment pad formed of a nonwoven material substrate and a quantity of pressure sensitive adhesive of a rodent arresting quantity applied directly or indirectly through the substrate. The quantity of rodent arresting adhesive is sufficient to restrain movement of a rodent that becomes trapped in the entrapment pad.

Abstract: A device (1) for trapping animal pests such as caterpillars, having a collar (2) which is designed to surround the trunk of a tree (3), said collar (2) comprising a substantially annular walkway (4) that extends substantially in a first plane (P1) that is intended to be oriented horizontally. Joining means (31) comprising an arrangement (32) of flexible bristles (33) having a suitable density prevent the animal pests from passing between the collar (2) and the trunk of the tree (3).

Abstract: A device (1) for trapping animal pests such as caterpillars, having a collar (2) which is designed to surround the trunk of a tree (3). Said collar (2) comprises a substantially annular walkway (4) that extends substantially in a first plane (P1) that is intended to be oriented horizontally. The substantially annular walkway (4) consists at least in part of a plurality of collar sections (6a-6f) that are connected together in a pivoting manner by connecting means (7) in a first direction (I-I) substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P1).

Abstract: A method of controlling pests includes applying a trap (10) to a plant. The A trap (10) includes a tube (12) of resilient material with a longitudinal slit (16) in its outer wall (14) for at least part of the length of the tube (12) and a number of apertures (18) in the outer wall. The resilience of the outer wall (14) urges edges of the outer wall on opposing sides of the slit (16) towards each other. The trap (10) is installed by extending the tube (12) around a trunk (20) of the plant, so that its two opposing ends (22, 24) face each other, and inserting one end of the tube (22) inside the opposing end (24) by urging open the slit (16) at the outer end to enlarge the outer end and gripping the inner end by an inward resilient load from the outer wall of the outer end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device in the form of a container made of a polymer material, which container has one or more sealed chambers, each of which comprise a liquid pheromone comprising 2-ethyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4,4]nonane, methyl 2,4-decadiene-carboxylate and at least one alcohol selected among 2-methylbut-3-en-2-ol and 2-methylbut-3-yn-2-ol, where at least 50% of the area of the walls forming the chambers have a wall thickness in the range of from 0.1 to 1 mm and the polymer material which forms the chamber is at least in those areas an uncoated vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymer with a vinyl acetate content in the range of from 10 to 17% by weight. The invention also relates to a method of combating and for monitoring the swarming behavior of the species Pityogenes chalcographus, generally also referred to as spruce wood engraver or six-dentated bark beetle.

Abstract: A method of controlling pests includes applying a trap (10) to a plant. The A trap (10) includes a tube (12) of resilient material with a longitudinal slit (16) in its outer wall (14) for at least part of the length of the tube (12) and a number of apertures (18) in the outer wall. The resilience of the outer wall (14) urges edges of the outer wall on opposing sides of the slit (16) towards each other. The trap (10) is installed by extending the tube (12) around a trunk (20) of the plant, so that its two opposing ends (22, 24) face each other, and inserting one end of the tube (22) inside the opposing end (24) by urging open the slit (16) at the outer end to enlarge the outer end and gripping the inner end by an inward resilient load from the outer wall of the outer end.

Abstract: A pest control material (11), such as mosquito netting, has a surface (12) with abrasive/absorptive microprojections (13). Insect pests such as mosquitoes suffer damage to their cuticle, resulting in dehydration and/or invasion by microbial pathogens. The material is made by coating a fabric with abrasive and/or absorptive materials.

Abstract: The Snake Fence (1), especially for catching snakes. The netting is attached to elastic or non-elastic cord (2) which is wrapped around a tree, tree limb, or any natural or manmade surface. (3) The cord is attached to the netting and the netting is overlapped. (4) It is the single, double, or multiple layering of netting that catches the snakes and holds the snakes. The snakes cannot extricate themselves from the netting. The netting is proportional in size to the snake being caught; the elastic or non-elastic cord is proportional in size to the tree, tree limb, or any natural or manmade surface.

Abstract: The system for delivery of insecticide provides a portable enclosure for delivering insecticide to an infested tree trunk. The system includes an annular shell disposed around with the trunk of the tree that defines an annular tank. An annular base supports the wall(s) of the annular shell and has a liquid impermeable membrane attached thereto that can be wrapped around the base of the tree trunk to prevent pesticide seepage into the ground. A pump delivers insecticide into the annular tank at an upper end of the tank. A drain hose attached to the base of the tank returns insecticide to the pump for recirculation. The pump is actuated in pulsating mode to agitate insecticide in the tank, causing waves of sufficient pressure to induce the insecticide to penetrate deeply through any bores in the trunk to kill both adult insects and larvae.

Abstract: The system for delivery of insecticide provides a portable enclosure for delivering insecticide to an infested tree trunk. The system includes an annular shell disposed around with the trunk of the tree that defines an annular tank. An annular base supports the wall(s) of the annular shell and has a liquid impermeable membrane attached thereto that can be wrapped around the base of the tree trunk to prevent pesticide seepage into the ground. A pump delivers insecticide into the annular tank at an upper end of the tank. A drain hose attached to the base of the tank returns insecticide to the pump for recirculation. The pump is actuated in pulsating mode to agitate insecticide in the tank, causing waves of sufficient pressure to induce the insecticide to penetrate deeply through any bores in the trunk to kill both adult insects and larvae.

Abstract: A system for protecting trees and structures from infestation by crawling or climbing insects by attaching an insect barrier to the wall surface of the object to be protected. The barrier consists of a belt means, which may be made from a plastic sheet material and may be wrapped around the object to be protected, including a contact means that engages the surface of the object. The contact means may have a deformable thickness, such as provided by a layer of a non-woven fabric, to prent the passage of insects between the barrier and the surface of the objet. The free ends of the belt means are secured to each other to retain the belt means against the surface of the tree and engage the contact means against the tree surface. The belt means has slippery surface means, having a low coefficient of friction with respect to insects, that prevents the travel of insects on the belt means, preventing them from proceeding over the belt means and infesting the tree or structure to be protected.

Abstract: A mound-like tree skirt has a generally dome-shaped body and is designed for placement around a tree. The body has an apex with an approximately centered opening to accommodate the tree's trunk. It also has a peripheral edge with a substantially horizontal anchor lip extending circumferentially therefrom. A radial slit extending from the approximately centered opening to the peripheral edge allows the mound-like tree skirt to be slipped around a tree until the tree's trunk is in the centered opening. At least one hole in the anchor lip and a corresponding number of anchor stakes hold the tree skirt in position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling tree pests are disclosed. The apparatus includes a band of compressible material and a barrier ring. The barrier ring is wrapped around the band of compressible material, which, in turn, is wrapped around the trunk of a tree. The barrier ring contains a recess that is filled with a substance that prevents the progression of pests onto upper levels of the tree. The method involves installing the apparatus of the invention onto the trunk of a tree.

Abstract: The system and method for preventing the passage of crawling insects upon the exterior surface of an object includes a member having an inner surface, adapted to be disposed adjacent to the exterior surface of the object, an opposed outer surface that has a low coefficient of friction for preventing the insects from traversing the outer surface since the crawling insects are unable to obtain sufficient traction with the outer surface of the member, a means for affixing the member to the exterior surface of the object so that the insects are forced to attempt to traverse the outer surface of the member in order to reach the exterior surface of the object above the member.

Abstract: A device for exterminating pests includes a belt consisted of the first side plate and the second side plate which is connected to the first side plate on the two respective first sides thereof so that an opening is defined between the two respective second sides of the two side plates. Each of the first side plate and the second side plate has an engaging device attached to the inside thereof so as to be engaged with each other. Insecticide is received between the first side plate and the second side plate, and the belt is wrapped around the trunk of trees.

Abstract: A flexible strip of material having sharp protruding crowns which, once installed on wire, rope, cable, poles, or other similar objects in which rodents are utilizing as runways, will repel such rodents by inaccessibility and therefore cause them to turn back to the point where they first contacted the wire, rope or other objects. Thus preventing such rodents from gaining access to ships, buildings, or other areas where wires, ropes or other objects are connected.

Abstract: There is disclosed a dispersion comprising fluorocarbon resin having a particle size between about 0.05 and 0.5 micron and a viscosity less than about 15 centipoise. The dispersion may contain a freeze/thaw additive, and is suitable for coating surfaces to form a dried film upon which insects cannot climb, alight or make nests or webs.

Abstract: A coating (17) and a method for its preparation are disclosed which will restrict the movement of insects over a skewed surface (15) to which the coating is applied. The coating (17) is an adherent thin film comprised of particles of less than 5 microns. The dispersions are prepared using a surfactant. The surfactant may be removed, at least in part, from the film by leaching or evaporation. The dispersion may also include a dispersing agent which need not be removed from the film. Stabilizing agents may be added to protect the dispersions from freeze/thaw cycles. The coatings (17) are preferably applied by spraying or roller coating the dispersion over the surface (15).

Abstract: Crawling insects are caused to abandon sites they have infested or prevented from infesting other sites by preparing dispersions from selected minus 10 micron particles and forming a film on the surface to be protected. Different insects can selectively be controlled by adjustment of the particle sizes in the dispersion.

Abstract: An animal blockage device having a series of casings movably surrounding a support member to prevent squirrels or other animals from traveling up the support member.

Abstract: A dispersion of a polytetrafluoroethylene resin having a particle size between about 0.05 and 0.5 microns, a suspending agent and a viscosity less than 15 centipoise. The dispersion has long shelf life, a reduced tendency to fibrillate and is comparatively stable when acted upon by shear forces and elevated temperatures. The dispersion is well adapted to be sprayed onto surfaces to form a dried film upon which insects can not climb, alight or affix nests or webs. The dispersion can be sprayed without fibrillation dispersion and the dried coatings are adherent, may be washed and remain effective over long periods of time.

Abstract: A rat guard method consists of covering an article to be protected with a sheet made of a flexible material such as a synthetic resin sheet, and covering the sheet with a freely bendable net which is formed by connecting links made of a rigid material such as aluminum freely movably to one another in a two-dimensional pattern, so that the article to be protected can be easily protected from harm by rats.

Abstract: An insect or pest preventer for preventing crawling insects or pests from reaching plants, trees or attractant supporting structures such as plant tables, picnic tables, etc. A combination of -tactic, ultraviolet light and other barriers are positioned with respect to the path of travel of the insect.

Abstract: The invention comprises a physical barrier which deters the entrance of snails and slugs into an enclosed area. In preferred embodiments, the barrier is a treated rigid edging (such as fencing, or benderboard of wood or plastic) or a treated flexible edging (such as a tape). The edging material has an exposed surface (e.g., at or above the soil level) which includes a particulate copper material in a polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A pest preventer for placement between the ground and an electrical device mounted above ground in such a way that crawling insects or pests are prevented from entering the electrical device. A combination of -tactic, ultraviolet light and other barriers are positioned with respect to the path of travel of the insect from ground to the electrical devices.

Abstract: An insect trapping band comprises an elongate strip of flexible material having a generally centrally located longitudinally extending reduced thickness area or groove in one surface thereof. A quantity of insect trapping adhesives is deposited in the groove or recessed area and the band may be secured to the trunk of a tree, for example, with the adhesive facing outwardly. A first modified form of the invention provides a second layer of non-toxic adhesive to the opposed surface of the strip to facilitate attachment to the supporting surface. A second modified form of the invention provides a layer of release material on the surface having the groove and a second layer of non-toxic adhesive on the opposed surface.

Abstract: An improved tree protector of the type adapted to prevent insects from crawling up the trunk of a tree is described in which a continuous corrugated trough-like member is provided for extending about a tree trunk and for receiving an insecticide. The ends of said trough-like member are joined by an appropriate seal to form a continuous trough. An appropriate sealant mastic is provided to create a more secure seal in combination with adhesive tape.

Abstract: A pair of strips formed of dissimilar materials, such as copper and zinc for example, are disposed along a surface to define a zone which inhibits the entry of snails, slugs or the like. The dissimilar materials are ones which exhibit different electrode potentials or voltages when in contact with an electrolyte. It is believed that the exudate or slime present on the skin of a snail or the like has electrolytic characteristics and electrochemical reactions occur when the body of the snail or the like spans the dissimilar strips which reactions are sensed by the snail and discourage further progress. The barrier may be preformed as a flexible, adhesive coated ribbon or tape with the two electrically conductive strips extending along opposite edge regions of one surface of the tape.

Abstract: An insect exterminator having a base sheet of electrical insulating material, a source of electrical power, a first electrical contact extending along the length of the sheet, and a second electrical contact spaced from the first contact and also extending along the length of the sheet. The first and second electrical contacts are connected to the source of electrical power, so that a circuit is completed across the contacts only through an insects body as the insect attempts to traverse the contact.

Abstract: A snail protective barrier device. A band is provided of relatively thin foil material. Spaced slits are formed in its edges and flaps or webs are bent out horizontally from the strip of material to be in spaced relation relative to each other. The band with the horizontally extending flaps may be utilized in a straight line position; or in a circular, square or other configuration. Climbing insects, particularly snails, are prevented from passing the barrier by being unable to traverse the horizontal surfaces of the extending flaps or webs, particularly the underside surfaces.

Abstract: Open ended tubes which are impervious to water and having a length of at least two feet are placed in holes in the ground. The tubes are filled with a sterile growing medium. The vines are planted in said growing medium. The exposed portion of the medium is covered by a filter material porous to water but impervious to pests. The tubes force the roots to grow downwardly and then out the bottom end of the tubes and then horizontally into the native soil.

Abstract: A method and device for applying pesticides to growing plants or portions of plants is described in which an area to be protected is enclosed and a small amount of pesticide contained in a packet is placed within the enclosure. The packet protects the pesticide from loss or destruction by water and permits pesticide vapors to escape at a rate sufficient to make the enclosed area untenable to certain pests for an extended period of time. The packet is preferably made from low density polyethylene, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or a combination of the two, and the pesticide is preferably a diethyl phosphorothioate insecticide. In the preferred embodiment of the device, the device also acts as an insulator and includes liquid receiving pockets to act as "heat sinks" to protect the trunk from below freezing temperatures.

Abstract: A trap of conic section attached along an upper edge by a spring around the tree trunk can be closed around the tree trunk by a zipper attached along a vertical side of the trap to the trap, the trap forms a trough along an inner edge of the bottom of the trap into which an insecticide may be dripped by a tube passing through the side of the trap and connected to a canister which is also attached to the trap in which the insecticide may be stored and from which the insecticide may drip into the trough.